A uniquely styled, energy-efficient LED-lit LCD HDTV, the 46-inch Sony Bravia KDL-46XBR8 ($3,999.99 list) takes picture quality to new heights and sets higher standards for contrast and color reproduction. Multimedia mavens may find the set's integrated features lacking, and it's a bit higher in price than the competition. Still, this set's awe-inspiring picture quality is about as close to perfect as I've seen, so it easily snags our Editors' Choice award.
With thin, side-mounted speakers embedded in clear plastic so that they almost appear to float in midair, the KDL-46XBR8 is almost as wide as a 50-inch model. But this speaker placement is more effective than bottom-mounted configurations at producing a centrally positioned sound field. The TV's glossy black bezel features a finish on its inner edge that minimizes distracting reflections—a thoughtful detail. The baton-style universal remote control has a deep-blue backlit keypad with clearly labeled buttons that provide excellent tactile feedback and snappy performance. The dedicated Theater button makes it simple and quick to switch to Cinema display mode, which optimizes settings for viewing in dimly lit rooms.
Audio and video ports are divided between a main outward-facing panel on the back and a smaller selection on the left-hand side of the set. You get four HDMI ports, two sets of component video inputs, VGA, and an RF input, all of which are compatible with video formats up to 1080p, including 1080p at 24 frames per second (1080p24). Additional connections include Ethernet, USB, and a nine-pin serial connector. When the KDL-46XBR8 is connected to the Internet, a menu option lets you update the set's firmware—a welcome feature that I haven't seen before on an HDTV.
The set supports playback of JPEG images and MP3 music files from connected USB storage devices, but JPEGs are the only media format you can stream using other DLNA-compliant devices over your home network; the Pioneer KURO PDP-5020FD plasma and the Samsung LN55A950 can stream music and video files as well. Optional Bravia Link modules can be connected to dedicated ports on the rear of the set to enable additional multimedia functionality, including video streaming over the Web and wireless HD streaming between A/V devices.
The set's 1080p resolution is a perfect match for today's highest-quality HD video sources, and its screen-size settings let it display every pixel from 1,080-line video without any loss of detail from overscan. 720p video input via HDMI was also overscan-free on my tests, but the same video format fed through a component connection exhibited a 6 percent loss of the picture.
While most LED LCD TVs use only white, the KDL-46XBR8 employs clusters of red, green, and blue (RGB) LEDs for increased color performance. The set's range of color reproduction using its bright default picture preset is among the widest I've seen. Although this preset is too colorful for the accurate reproduction of Blu-ray movies or other HD programming, it could be used with newer HD camcorders that support wide-color-gamut recording. The Cinema preset provided the closest match to the standards used in HD video production, although its blue primary measured slightly off target (toward cyan) on the CIE chart. (Unlike the Samsung LN55A950, this set lacks user-accessible color management controls for fine-tuning.) Grayscale results were very strong in my tests—in fact, the most linear I've seen, even in the darkest detail areas where most LCD TVs turn bluish.
The average black level measurement of 0.02 candela per square meter (cd/m2) resulted in a contrast ratio calculation of 4,330:1—the best result for a dark viewing environment I've recorded from an LCD TV. Sets such as LG's 47LG90 and the LN55A950 both produced slightly brighter average black measurements (0.03 cd/m2) and slightly lower contrast ratios (3,127:1 and 3,148:1, respectively). And for brightly lit rooms, the Sony's dark, matte-screen surface is ideal for maintaining a well-contrasted picture.
Watching standard-definition DVD movies over a component video connection showed this set's exceptional ability to enhance detail while minimizing distracting artifacts. HD video was equally impressive, with the Cinema preset producing natural-looking flesh tones and superb picture detail. When I viewed the screen from the side I didn't see the washed-out images I saw on the LN55A950, although the 47LG90 remains the best LCD TV I've seen at maintaining a consistent picture at wide viewing angles.
Video resolution tests showed that enabling the KDL-46XBR8's scanning backlight allowed the set to resolve the maximum 1,080 lines of picture detail—but with a reduction in the TV's peak brightness of 37 percent. (I observed a similar trade-off in the LN55A950 when its scanning backlight was enabled.) The backlight can also be dimmed to improve contrast while at the same time reducing overall energy consumption.
Using default picture settings, I estimated an operating cost of $2.88 per month (166W average), less than for similar-size 1080p TVs I've tested, including the Toshiba Regza 46XV545U ($3.20, 183W) and the Samsung LN46A850 ($3.27, 187W), based on five hours of daily use at $0.1135 per kWh (the 2008 national average). This is enough to earn the KDL-46XBR8 our GreenTech Approved designation. Using the integratedTV Guide–based electronic programming guide resulted in an increase in standby power consumption from 0.2W to 16.1W, which is typical of many HDTVs with this feature.
The Sony Bravia KDL-46XBR8's picture quality is sublime, easily the best I've seen to date in an LCD television. Yes, this TV is more expensive than the similar-size LG 47LG90 ($3,899.99) and the Samsung LN47A950 ($3,399.99), but the multicolor LED backlighting technology is worth the premium. (The only other LCD television with RGB LEDs, the disappointing Sharp Aquos Limited Edition LC-52XS1U-S, sells for a jaw-dropping $11,000.) It would be nice if the KDL-46XBR8 had more robust out-of-the-box multimedia features and improved calibration controls. But wish lists aside, the picture can't be beat.
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